Recently we celebrated a birthday - and also a decade of parenting. As I reflect on the past ten years of motherhood, I can’t help but feel grateful. Becoming a parent, regardless of how a child comes into your care, is one of the most life-changing events imaginable. It brings new heights of joy and new depths of pain. Yet the pains of parenting don’t have to be only sleepless nights, worry, or frustration - they can also be growing pains, if you let them. Becoming a mother expanded my heart...

Who doesn’t want a confident child? It’s a quality we cheer for, a trait we believe paves the way for success and happiness. But what is confidence, really? As a third-generation Chinese American, I’ve lived at the intersection of two cultures that view this concept differently. In the U.S., confidence is a celebrated virtue, a ‘believe in yourself’ boost that can propel you forward. In Chinese heritage, however, the concept of confidence holds tension and can tip toward arrogance if...

Obedience.   What’s your gut reaction to that word? A nod of agreement, recognizing its importance? Or a flinch of caution, a reminder of control?   To our modern ears, "obedience" can sound archaic, even animalistic. It’s what we expect from a well-trained pet. But what about our children? I’ll be honest: I want obedience from my kids. I want to say, “Please put the iPad down,” or “Can you help set the table?” and have them respond right away.   But I have to ask myself: what’s really behind...